Page 30 of Capture the Moment
“Statistically, it’s extremely rare.”
Frankie scoffed a laugh. “Not if it’s happening to you.”
Coop grimaced. “Again, bear attacks are extremely rare. They’re not out to get you.”
Maisie’s hand hit the sky again. “But if a bear does attack...”
“Attacks have usually happened because a bear was surprised. So remember the basics and you shouldn’t have any problems. Don’t hike alone. Talk or sing as you hike. Wear a loud whistle around your neck. Carry bear spray on your hip and know how to use it. Stay aware of your surroundings.” He cast a meaningful glance at Frankie. “For example, it would be foolish to wear earbuds and listen to loud music when you’re hiking.”
“How ’bout...” Frankie said, “eschewing the earbuds andjust listening to loud music? That’s like a win-win. Perfect way to warn the bears that you’re coming through.” He grinned. “Unless bears like rock ’n’ roll.”
Maisie leaned over to Kate. “What does ‘eschew’ mean?”
“Forgo,” Kate said. “Skip ’em.”
“Why doesn’t he just say that?” Maisie’s hand shot up again, but Coop, clearly ready to wrap it up, ignored her.
He clapped his hands together. “There’s one last point I want to drill home tonight. It’s the most important one too. If you happen upon a sow with cubs, give them plenty of space. Never, ever get between a mother bear and her cubs. If you ever find yourself in that situation, say a prayer. You are in trouble.”
“He’s right. Lots of babies in our park right now. The phrase ‘mama bear’ ain’t for nothing.” A female ranger, small and petite with a squeaky little voice, walked up to Coop. “Let’s all thank Ranger Cooper for his fascinating talk about bears.”
Maisie clapped enthusiastically. “It was wonderful, Coop! You should give it every night!”
Coop’s face conveyed how terrible an idea he thoughtthatwas.
The little ranger took over, standing right in front of Coop. “I’m Sally Janus, acting chief ranger for the park. Don’t forget that you’re always welcome to ask a ranger anything. That’s what we’re here for. Thank you all for coming tonight. Ranger Cooper will be giving lots more ranger talks this summer, so check the schedule at the visitor center.”
Clearly, that was news to Coop. Kate had to swallow a smile at the shocked look on his face.
The small ranger lifted her hands in the air. “Enjoy your time here in the park, but always respect the wildlife.”
Kate reached down to pick up her camera bag, and by the time she sat back up, Frankie stood in front of her.
“Hello, Kate.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “We have to stop meeting like this.”
“Frankie!” Maisie jumped up. “I was hoping to see you tonight. Where were you all day? I rode Pops’s bike everywhere, but I couldn’t find you. How’s the internship going? Do you think I can shadow you and Coop sometime?”
As Maisie continued to fire questions at Frankie, Kate quietly slipped away into the crowd and out the door. Frankie the intern was the last person she wanted to see. She was still peeved at him for blabbing about her zoo background to the other photographers. The nickname “Zoo Girl” stung like nettles—leaving tiny barbs that pricked at her skin.
Tim Rivers made his way through the dispersing crowd after Coop’s ranger talk on bear safety. He spotted Sally near the edge of the group and approached her with a friendly smile. “Coop did a great job, didn’t he?” Tim said, gesturing toward where Coop was still answering questions for a few park visitors.
“He did just fine,” Sally said. “Tell him I appreciate his willingness to give a ranger talk at the last minute.”
“And you’re expecting more talks from him this summer?”
“Sure am. He’s good at them. He has a knack for engaging the audience and getting the message across.” Her gaze shifted to Frankie. “How’s that one doing as an intern for Coop?”
Frankie stood up front, hands in his pockets, looking bored. Maisie was chatting away to him, obviously enamored. Her schoolgirl crush on him was a worry to Tim. “Actually, I’m glad you asked. Frankie seems like a troubled kid.”
Sally scoffed. “I’ll say. Kicked out of three boarding schools.”
“You know, I’m not sure how fair this is to Coop. He’s stuck with him as both an intern and a roommate.”
Sally turned to him. “Coop can handle it. He understands teenagers better than most any other ranger. Goodness, he deals with kids all through the school year.”
Exactly why it didn’t seem fair to dump Coop with the burden of Frankie.
She leaned in a little. “You and I both know that Coop’s role really is to be a mentor to Frankie.”
